Playing behind an offensive line that’s given up a league-low 10 sacks, Ray raised his passing game to a new level as the Toronto Argos ride a four-game winning streak.

With another Grey Cup ring on his finger, the guy who at one time said he’d like to spend his entire career with the Edmonton Eskimos now has little sympathy for its plight.

When asked if he felt sorry for the people he was associated with now suffering through a 1-5 start, he had a two-word answer.

“Not really.”

It’s not as if Ray has suddenly turned heartless. It’s just the nature of the beast.

“I don’t really think about it too much,” said Ray. “I’ve seen so much happen in this league. B.C. doing what they did a few years ago, even us last year starting out pretty bad. I’ve seen teams start slow and finish fast and I’ve seen teams start strong and limp into the playoffs.

“Anything can happen. You really don’t feel sorry for any other team. You just feel good about what you’re doing out here.”

Now in his 11th season, Ray has looked as comfortable as he ever has during his CFL career.

At 76.4%, his completion average is way past his career average 66.8% and his single-season high 69.9% in 2007.

“There’s a lot of different variable happening for me,” said Ray. “It’s the second year I’ve been in the same offence. I have some real good coaches.

“Really, when everybody plays well, everybody looks good. We have a lot of areas where we’re doing some good football. The protection’s been great. We’re just doing a lot of things good that’s making us pretty tough.”

Before he left the July 19 game against Winnipeg with a minor knee injury, Ray would have been 20-for-20 if not for a drop by one of his receivers.

Unlike his days in Edmonton when he was getting smoked on a regular basis, Ray has operated with fewer distractions.

“We’re executing real well and it starts with those guys up front giving me protection and letting me see,” said Ray. “Whenever you’re getting hit as a quarterback — even if it’s not sacks — it plays with your mind a little bit.

“You feel like you have to rush through your reads and just be quicker with the ball. That can throw your timing off. Really solid protection just allows me to sit back there and go through my reads at a comfortable pace.”

Toronto remains the only East Division team with a winning record and Ray’s cool demeanour has his team on a roll.

“That’s always a tough challenge,” said Ray. “You don’t want to feel too good about yourself. You want to feel good because you’re doing good things and you’re confident but you don’t want to get in a spot where you feel that going through the motions to is going to get you results.”

Head coach Scott Milanovich has noticed that Ray has taken great strides since he first arrived in Toronto.

“He just trusts the offence and trusts that the system can find him an answer,” said Milanovich. “That’s why you see him getting hit a little less in addition to us playing better up front.

“He’s about the same as he was toward the end of last season and he’s 40% better than he was when he first got here.”

con.griwkowsky@sunmedia.ca

ESKIMOS

Who to watch:

Rennie Curran, LB

The former All-American and third-round NFL draft pick makes his first CFL start at middle linebacker replacing CFL most outstanding defensive player JC Sherritt.

Key matchup:

The Eskimos secondary are going to have their hands full. Former Eskimos SB Jason Barnes is among the league leaders with four touchdowns.

Audible:

“(Ricky Ray’s) success is something I applaud but hopefully not (Sunday).”

— Eskimos head coach Kavis Reed.

ARGONAUTS

Who to watch:

Ricky Ray, QB

Has an astounding 76.4% completion while working behind a solid offensive line. Ray has not thrown an interception all season.

Key Matchup:

Chad Owens against Eskimos cover teams. Owens has once again emerged as one of the best returners in the league as well as being a dangerous receiver.

Injuries

Audible:

“Not really.”

— Argos QB Ricky Ray, when asked if he felt sorry for the 1-5 Eskimos.

Ricky Ray 'not really' thinking about Edmonton Eskimos

Playing behind an offensive line that’s given up a league-low 10 sacks, Ray raised his passing game to a new level as the Toronto Argos ride a four-game winning streak.

With another Grey Cup ring on his finger, the guy who at one time said he’d like to spend his entire career with the Edmonton Eskimos now has little sympathy for its plight.

When asked if he felt sorry for the people he was associated with now suffering through a 1-5 start, he had a two-word answer.

“Not really.”

It’s not as if Ray has suddenly turned heartless. It’s just the nature of the beast.

“I don’t really think about it too much,” said Ray. “I’ve seen so much happen in this league. B.C. doing what they did a few years ago, even us last year starting out pretty bad. I’ve seen teams start slow and finish fast and I’ve seen teams start strong and limp into the playoffs.